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< Back James Walker James Walker Standing Rock Lakota/Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 James Walker was born along the Missouri River in 1955. Shortly thereafter his family’s home got flooded and they had to move. He was sent to St. Josephs Indian Boarding School in Chamberlain, SD, when he was five years old. He was there seven years and was introduced to basketball. He went to Wilton, ND in the eighth grade and continued playing basketball and football until graduating in 1973. James was recruited by Dickinson State College to play basketball. When he was a sophomore in college, he tried out for the National Indian Activities Association national team and made the cut. The team had a scrimmage at the University of Mary against the defending state amateur basketball team. They went to Haskell, KS and had another scrimmage against their college team and then on to Baton Rouge, LA to play in the National Amateur tournament. We got beat but I got to play against some would-be Pros and D1 college players which really help me develop. James was named to the NAIA All American honorable mention team while at Dickinson State College. After college, he played Indian ball with the UTTEC team in 1975. In 1976, his team and part of the South Dakota team got together and formed the Lakota Coup Counters and they won the national tournament in Ft. Duchesne UT. They repeated in 1977 in Minneapolis and he was named MVP. He continued to play with the Coup Counters for 10 years and they were one of the top teams and always in the top three finishes at national tournaments. He then played with the Dakota Warriors in many tournaments, both Indian only and open tournaments. He was also named to the National Indian Activities Association (NIAA) Hall of Fame. <Back

Onondaga Redhawks 2010 President’s Cup Champions Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back Team Roster: Spencer Lyons - G, Jeremy Thompson, Kevin Wilkerson, Drew Bucktooth, Michael S. Abrams, Ryan Lewis, Ronald Cogan Jr. - C, Pete Benedict, Clayton Jones, Brian Bucktooth Jr., Tyler Hill, Grant Bucktooth, Neal Powless, Wade Bucktooth, Dustin Hill, A.J. Bucktooth, Sam Shenandoah, Dwayne Porter, Dave Stout, Kevin Bucktooth Jr., Murray Stout Jr. - A, Brett Bucktooth Sr., Ross Bucktooth - G, Head Coach: Freeman “Boss” Bucktooth, Asst. Coaches: Kevin Powless and Brian Phillips, GM: Alf E. Jacques, Trainers: Marty Ward and Sunny Shenandoah

Media Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi Diné (Navajo)

< Back Jana Williams Jana Williams Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jana Williams got her start in tennis the summer before seventh grade. Her older sister wanted tennis lessons, and Jana golf lessons; so they agreed to take them together. After playing in her first tournament, the captain from the high school team convinced her to try out for the varsity team as a seventh grader, playing #4 singles and 8-12th #1. She was in the top 5 in the Northwest section throughout her junior career, qualifying for Jr. Nationals and then in her sophomore year was awarded a scholarship to Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL. After high school she got pregnant with twins. When they were six months old she returned to school at North Hennepin Community College and played on the tennis team for two years, going undefeated both years and qualified for the NJCAA National tournament. The first year she made it to the semifinals before losing, the following year the quarterfinals. After both years she was offered scholarships to play tennis, but instead of moving away from family, she decided to walk on to the University of Minnesota’s tennis team during the 1993-1994 season. Jana became involved with the organization called the North American Indian Tennis Association (NAITA). She was the Jr. Singles champion in 1987, and Open Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles champion and Runner-up in many NAITA Tournaments. She was a past President in 2016. She also directed tennis clinics at UNITY Conference in Oklahoma City and Washington DC along with Riverside Indian Boarding School, Anadarko OK. It was Jana’s goal to bring tennis to the Native communities across the country and brought the NAITA’s tournament to Minnesota in 2016. She now actively competes in Women's NPC Bodybuilding and teaches anyone who wants to learn a healthy lifestyle how to work out and improve their overall health. Her awards included the 2017 NPC FIGURE Master's 35+ 1st place and Overall Champion, the IRON VIKING, Battle of The Falls Overall Champion and the 2019 Master’s Nationals and NPC Women's Open Physique Brew City and Minnesota State 3rd and 4th places. <Back

< Back Kalley Armstrong Kalley Armstrong Algonquin (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg) Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Kalley Armstrong is the granddaughter of Toronto Maple Leafs legend George Armstrong. Kalley played four years of NCAA Division 1 hockey with the Harvard University Women’s Hockey Team between 2010 and 2015. Kalley grew up idolizing the hockey careers of both her grandfather and her father. She played her junior hockey with the Toronto Aeros hockey club. In her final year as captain, the team won the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) championships. She also competed that year at the National Women’s U18 Championships for Team Ontario. With the Harvard Crimson, Kalley was selected to the All-Ivy League Second Team and named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Best Defensive Forward. In her senior year, she captained of one of the best teams in Harvard Women’s Hockey history. The Crimson captured the 2015 Ivy League Championship, the 2015 ECAC Season Championship, the 2015 ECAC Tournament Championship, and the 2015 Beanpot Championship. That year the team finished as the 2015 Frozen Four National Championship Runner-Up. In 2019, Kalley started her own hockey school, Armstrong Hockey, in honour of her grandfather’s legacy and accomplishments as a proud Indigenous athlete. Armstrong Hockey is dedicated to the development of Indigenous youth hockey and the mentorship of First Nations girls. Kalley is currently working on her PhD at Western University focussing on the experience of girls playing hockey in residential school. <Back

Kerry Danforth <Back Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2023 Kerry “Buggs” Danforth starting coaching in 1995 and was influenced by his dad, the late Bill Danforth, who coached Oneida Baseball in his early 30’s until he was 50. After his dad passed and he continued to play baseball and softball he knew he was given a gift to help a player at any part of their game. He learned to help a hitter out by just watching their hands, feet and swing, and to make corrections, and as his and his wife Candace’ three daughters, Nona, Olivia and Tiana, and son Jackson, got older, he stopped playing to coach. In 2006, he coached his daughter Nona in Florida in the Independent Softball Association (ISA) Nationals and won that tournament and this put them in the ISA World Nationals in Columbia, North Carolina and they were crowned World Champions. In 2007, he coached the team to win the North America Fastpitch Association (NSFA) National Champions in Florida. In his years of coaching, he sent several athletes to the collegiate level and 58 to the NCAA DI level. From 2006 to 2019, his teams won six Wisconsin American Softball Association (ASA) and National Softball Association (NSA) national titles from the age groups of 10 & Under to 18 & Under. In those years the teams were also Runner-up State champion in 2006 and 2018 and at the national level were runner-up in 2010 and 2012. In 2011, he was the 18 & Under Team Wisconsin’s Indigenous Coach that won the North American Indigenous Games Gold Medal and were undefeated. In 2014, he was a college assistant coach working with infield and hitting to Jean Rivett at NCAA DI University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Coach Rivett is in the ASA Hall of Fame as a player. UWGB won the conference title, conference tournament title, and played in the NCAA Tournament in Minnesota. Also at the college level, he was an assistant coach working with infield and hitting at NCAA DIII St. Norbert College from 2016-2018. As a coach for the past 25 plus years he amassed over 600 wins and under 100 losses and his best year was in 2009 with an 85-6 record.

2023 Haudenosaunee Nationals Women Team 2024 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Haudenosaunee won the women’s competition at the 2023 PALA Sixes Cup in Kingston, Jamaica. The Haudenosaunee were dominant in the tournament and defeated previously unbeaten Puerto Rico 22-11 in the gold medal game. The Haudenosaunee finished with a 5-0 record and won by at least 11 goals in every game. Back row left to right: Bean Minerd, Onondaga; Paige Crandall, Onondaga; Tallis Tarbell, Mohawk; Lois Garlow, Seneca; Jalyn Jimerson, Cayuga; Allie Trice, Oneida; Fawn Porter, Cayuga; Liz Beville; and Tim Bomberry, Cayuga. Front row left to right: Paisley Cook, Mohawk; Sierra Cockerille, Mohawk; Avery Doran, Mohawk; Jordan Coulon, Onondaga; Olivia Hoffmann, Mohawk; and Lottie Gill, Tuscarora.

Krista Hodder Mi’kmaw from Membertou First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2023 <Back Krista Hodder is an Indigenous woman from Membertou First Nation, located in the heart of Unama’ki, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. She lives in her community with her two children. Krista began her career as a Child and Youth Worker, when she discovered her passion for sport, recreation and physical activity as a means to keep her community active, healthy and safe. She was the Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Coordinator for Membertou for eight years, beginning in 2013. It was in this role that she grounded and developed herself and her priorities. While working with her community, Krista worked with other Indigenous Communities to develop a developmental snowboard program designed to assist Indigenous youth to break down the barriers. The program saw as many as 400 youth come through the doors, with many going off to become snowboard instructors, giving back to the program that has gotten them started. As a hockey mom, Krista noted the discrepancies in opportunities for females to have a safe, supportive spaces to develop skill and build the love of the game. Working with stakeholders, Krista assisted in developing the Indigenous Girls Hockey Program, running for 10 weeks out of her home arena. The program provided gear and weekly practices. Most participants returned year after year, which has also given a boost to the local female hockey association. Some notable awards and recognition that Krista has seen include being named to the 2016 Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity in Canada list, as the overall woman in the Builders category by Canadian Women and Sport. Krista has also been included in a timeline of Influential Women in the Public Service Sector, a national timeline featuring over 150 women from the 1600s to today, compiled by Canada's School of Public Service. In 2020, Krista was honored with the title of Hockey Canada's champion for the month of June. After many great years serving her community, Krista took a leap of faith, and a new title. She is now the Senior Coordinator of Programs and Events with the Aboriginal Sport Circle – Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, physical activity and recreation, with her focus being on developing, supporting and delivering sport programs for Indigenous athletes across the country, providing opportunities and spaces for Indigenous youth to thrive in their sport. Photo 1 (winter photo): Krista participating in a walking meeting with the Active Cape Breton Communities Group. Photo Credit: Wayne McKay Photo 2 (profile): Krista smiles while discovering an eagle feather during a recreation meeting. Photo Credit: Jeannine Denny

< Back Maurice “Mo” Smith Maurice “Mo” Smith Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Maurice “Mo” Smith is the Executive Director for the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake (UICSL). Mo is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who grew up in an urban Indian community in Denver, CO. He has been a “friend” to Indian Country for many years, better known for his work and accomplishments while serving as the Executive Director for the Native American Sports Council, a member-organization of the United States Olympic Committee. His passion and inspiration for his work today stems from his identity of a friend to Indian Country, better known for his work with the Native American Sports Council in the area of Sports and Wellness; hosting the largest sports and cultural celebration of North America, the 2006 North American Indigenous Games (7,000+ athletes). Maurice “Mo” Smith is the first documented enrolled tribal member to break the sub-four minute mile with a personal best of 3:55. Mo is from the Navajo Nation and grew up in an urban Indian community in Denver, CO. Mo is a five-time NAIA National Champion in Track & Field (800 & 1,500 Meters) while attending Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Competed in 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Track & Field Trials. Responsible for hosting and administrating the 2006 North American Indigenous Games in Denver, Colorado. Completed five Marathons including the 2021 Boston Marathon in October during Indigenous Peoples Day. Mr. Smith obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Adams State College and a Masters of Arts with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. Originally from Colorado, Mr. Smith has lived and worked in various parts of the country including New Mexico, Montana, Arizona, Washington, no residing in Washington DC. His past employment experiences include serving as the Executive Director of the American Indian Business Leaders, the Director of Programs and Government Contracts for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Inc., the Executive Director of the Native American Sports Council, the Program Manager for the United States Olympic Committee and the Development Director of Wings of America. Mountain trail running, play in charity golf tournaments, and spending time with his two children and four grandchildren are a few of his past times. <Back

< Back James Nells James Nells Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 James Nells, born in Winslow, Arizona is full blood Navajo Nation tribal member. His mother was Dorothea (Jackson) Shirley, father was Edward Nells. He is Salt clan, born for under his cover clan, grandparents are Black streak in the wood (mother) and Red bottom (father). James has three sisters living on the Navajo reservation including Brenda, Sandra and Dixie. They grew up around the Cedar Springs, Seba Dalkai, White Cone area of Arizona. They finally moved to Church Rock, New Mexico and James attended Church Rock Elementary, Bountiful Junior High and South Bountiful Jr. High in Bountiful, Utah. He attended and graduated from Wingate High School, Fort Wingate, New Mexico in 1977. James attended Haskell Indian Junior College (1978-80), Lawrence, Kansas, and graduated from Central State University (1980-83), Edmond, Oklahoma with a Bachelor degree in Teaching Physical Education and Health with a coaching option. He participated in Cross Country, Wrestling and Track. In college he ran both cross country and track. He is a state high school champion in the two-mile run (1976) and state runner-up in cross country, track mile and two mile run several times. He is also a High School All-American in Track. In college he was a two time All-American in Indoor Track and held the cross country course record while attending Haskell in 24:47 for 8K. James served in the US Army from 1984-92, was second in command in his unit while in Desert Storm with the 2-16 Infantry Rangers, Fort Riley, KS and received a Bronze Star. James and his wife Daisy Elana (Pratt) Nells have been married 38 years and they have two daughters and five sons and 13 grandkids. Photo: James and Elana Nells in 2022 <Back

< Back Ciena Alipio Ciena Alipio Diné Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 UCLA senior Ciena Alipio was born in San Jose, Calif. in March 2004. Her mother Linda is Diné, and her father Dante is Filipino. Ciena grew up in Northern California and began taking dance classes at a young age before moving on to gymnastics. She went on to become a four-time member of the USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team, representing the U.S. internationally in competitions in Europe. She earned her first international assignment at the 2019 Jesolo Trophy in Italy and won silver medals on the balance beam and with the team. In 2021, she earned an assignment to the Arthur Gander Memorial in Switzerland and captured a bronze medal in the all-around. At the national level, she was the runner-up on balance beam at the 2019 and 2022 USA Championships. Ciena moved to Minnesota to train at Midwest Gymnastics for her final two years of elite gymnastics training when the global pandemic restricted indoor activity in California. In the fall of 2022, Ciena returned to California to attend UCLA. During her freshman season in 2023, she was a staple in the balance beam lineup and helped lead the Bruins to a Pac-12 regular season title and a fifth-place NCAA finish. She flourished as a junior in 2025, winning the Big Ten Conference balance beam title with her first career perfect 10. Ciena’s perfect mark led her team to a school-record balance beam score of 49.750 and to a Championship record team score of 198.450. UCLA captured the Big Ten Championship, as well as the conference’s regular season title. The Bruins finished 2025 as the runner-up at the NCAA Championships, where Ciena tied for third place on balance beam with a score of 9.9500 to earn first-team All-America honors. A psychology major, Ciena earned 2024 Scholastic All-American and 2025 Academic All-Big Ten honors. Photo Credits: Ross Turteltaub/UCLA Athletics on the balance beam photo. The one with the 10.0 sign was taken by Kaira Edwards/UCLA Gymnastics <Back

< Back Angel Goodrich Angel Goodrich United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Angel Goodrich was born in Glendale, Arizona, to parents Jonathan and Fayth Lewis. She has two siblings, an older brother Zach and a younger sister Nikki. She is a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Goodrich attended Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she was the first Division 1 athletic scholarship recipient in school history. During her time at the Cherokee-operated school, she led the Lady Indians to three consecutive Class AAA state titles and a runner-up finish. She scored over 2,000 points in her illustrious career. As a senior, Goodrich was named 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma and received the honor of being a WBCA/State Farm All-American. After high school, Goodrich went on to play basketball at the University of Kansas. During her freshman year, Angel tore her left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which kept her on the sidelines for the entire season. The following year she tore her right ACL after only 15 games. Despite these bumps in her basketball journey, she still scored over 1,000 points in her career as a Jayhawk, and became the Jayhawks’ all-time career assists leader. Goodrich’s total of 771 assists ranks her as the third-highest in Big 12 Conference history. In her senior year, Goodrich was a finalist for the Naismith Award, Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Nancy Lieberman Award, and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. She also earned First Team All Big 12 honors, and was a member of the WBCA All-Region 5 Team. In 2013, Goodrich was selected in the third round of the WNBA draft (29th pick overall) by the Tulsa Shock. At the time she was the highest-drafted Native American player in the history of the WNBA. In 2014, she completed her second and final season with the Shock. In 2015, she was picked up by the Seattle Storm. With the Storm, she registered her first double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in her WNBA career. Goodrich’s WNBA career ended in 2016. During these years, she also spent time playing overseas in both Poland and Russia. Angel currently resides in Oklahoma as a firefighter for the Tulsa Fire Department and in her spare time, officiates youth basketball games. Photo Credit: The Seattle Storm <Back